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Extended payments

What is an Extended Payment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support?

An Extended Payment is 4 weeks extra Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support, awarded when you or your partner start work (including self-employment) or your hours or earnings from your current employment increase.

You may be entitled to claim up to 4 weeks extra Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support at the same rates you were getting when you were receiving Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance.

Who can apply for an Extended Payment?

You can apply if you or your partner:-

have been registered as unemployed;

or have been on a government training course;

or are a lone parent; or are a carer;

and/or are receiving the disability premium because you are incapable of work.

You or your partner must also have been receiving Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) at the point you started work or hours or earnings increased.

You must have been receiving this for a period of 26 weeks or more. Job Seekers Allowance (Contribution Based) will count towards the 26 weeks.

You can also apply if you or your partner have been receiving one of the following benefits for a continuous period of 26 week or more:

Incapacity Benefit

Severe Disablement Allowance

Note: You must be under 60 years old on the day after Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) ends. This condition only applies to the person who was claiming Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance.

Your new job, increase in hours or earnings must be expected to last for 5 weeks or more.

You must be responsible for paying rent/Council Tax before and after your Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance ends.

What will I be entitled to if I qualify?

If you qualify, you will be entitled to up to 4 weeks of Housing Benefit and or Council Tax Support payable at the same rate (unless you move house) as you were getting whilst receiving Income Support, Job Seekers Allowances, Incapacity Benefit or Sever Disablement Allowance. It does not matter how much you earn.

How do I claim and Extended Payment?

You must tell us of a change in your circumstances within 4 weeks if you or your partner start work or increase hours or earnings. We will then check to see you meet the qualifying conditions. If you satisfy the conditions we will pay up to a further 4 weeks benefit from the Monday after your Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance ends.

Can I still apply for Housing Benefit and or Council Tax Support?

You may still qualify for help with your rent and or Council Tax after the Extended Payment period has finished. So that you don't loss out on any benefit you must Tell us of a change in your circumstances as soon as you know your entitlement to Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance is going to cease.